Known as one of the most intriguing characters in the sport, Penrite Honda’s Josh Cachia shares his thoughts with MotoOnline.com.au on a range of topics since returning to professional racing after two years on the sidelines.

Returning to racing in 2016…

Returning to racing this year has been quite pleasant, I’ve had good feedback from a lot of people and I’ve enjoyed myself – I’m pretty stoked on it. Being away for two years, I went stir crazy. Having purpose in the field has been good, and having people say I’m doing well on top of that is more reassuring that I’m doing the right thing – I’m happy with that.

Riding for Yarrive Konsky and Penrite Honda…

It’s been awesome, I’ve had a long relationship with Yarrive – he is more of a family member to me. When I told him I wanted to come back – I also brought a new sponsor Andrew Dyson to the team – which helped, but when I told him I was keen and that I wanted to give it 110 percent, he was the guy there willing to give me bikes, time and effort – he was the only one. I’m pretty stoked on that and so far it’s been pretty good, he has bent over backwards and given me everything I’ve needed.

American’s racing Australian supercross…

Look, if anyone is getting the raw end of the stick with the American’s coming over, it would be me on the team, but I don’t feel like I have in that way. I think we need to learn our place when someone like Gavin Faith or Jimmy Decotis come over, they’ve done more than the average Aussie rider. We need to respect that and not dis on them. Gavin has just come off an arenacross championship, Jimmy has raced for Geico Honda – they kind of deserve what they get. I think we’re sometimes a little bitter on that, but hey, it’s only pushed me to become better and learn from them. The crowds like them, and whether or not the Aussie riders like them, I think they do because they have someone to talk crap on.

The next generation of Australian riders…

Not to offend anyone, I don’t think it’s to the standard of when Kade Mosig, Adam Monea, myself, Luke George and Brenden Harrison were coming through, you know? There are a few guys who are half decent, but still not good enough to step-up into MX2 and battle for a top five. Back in the day when I was riding, if you were a fast junior, you were expected to be in the top five or top three when you stepped up to MX2 – it was that simple. But I can’t see anyone in the upcoming future even coming close to battling in a top five position. I could be wrong, but at this point in time it doesn’t look like that. Don’t get me wrong, there are two or three riders out there that I think have got what it takes in time to come.

Racing in 2017…

I feel there is a little more spice back in the field, everyone seems to be in good spirits and getting along. The promoters are awesome, Scott Bannan has done a great job and Adam Bailey will do a great job too. Being the inside dude in the pits and being a racer, I haven’t heard much negativity, which is a surprise because some cocker spaniel always has something negative to say. Heading into 2017, I think everyone will work really hard together to make it something better than this year. A lot of people are uniting as one to make the sport better, which I think is what needs to happen. As for myself, I’m talking to someone at the moment, and if the person that I want comes back and says we can get you some money and some bikes, I’ll be racing motocross and supercross. If not, I’ll probably focus on doing some coaching schools, and then I’ll always do supercross for whoever wants to put me on. As far as I’m concerned, I just need to put in a consistent effort for supercross, then I couldn’t see why a team wouldn’t pick me up. There’s only a handful of those top guys in Australia, Adam Monea has dropped off, Brenden Harrison has dropped – there’s only a few prodigies in Australian sport, and I’m lucky enough to be considered as one of them. So if I prove to people I’m consistent enough and that I have a good head on my shoulders, then look, I can’t see why I wouldn’t be racing motocross.